Mesut Ozil’s influential role in Serge Gnabry’s exit from Arsenal revealed

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Arsenal star Mesut Ozil was reportedly a key factor in Serge Gnabry’s move to Werder Bremen earlier this summer, according to reports in Germany.

Fresh from playing an impressive role in his national team’s run to the Olympic final in Rio last month, Gnabry sealed a return to the Bundesliga in a €5m deal, according to Bild.

However, the German publication go further and state that Ozil’s role in the move has been underplayed, with the playmaker helping to convince his former teammate that it was the right move for him.

Ozil spent two years at the club between 2008 and 2010, and credits the Bundesliga outfit for playing a crucial part in his development and helping him mature into the player that he is today.

In turn, he ‘influenced’ Gnabry’s final decision, one that will naturally leave some Gunners fans disappointed as the 21-year-old had been tipped for a successful future in north London.

Instead, he will now focus on continuing his progression back in Germany, with Bild going on to add that Per Mertesacker, also a former Bremen star, had nothing but positive things to say about Gnabry prior to the transfer when asked by his former teammate and now general manager Frank Baumann.

Time will tell as to whether or not Arsenal live to regret the transfer, but given the current options at Wenger’s disposal, it would undoubtedly have been difficult for the German international to break through and claim regular first-team football.

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